What does it mean that Atheists know more about religion than believers?

Atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons are among the highest-scoring groups in a 32-question survey of religious knowledge by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. On average, Americans got 16 of the 32 questions correct. Atheists and agnostics got an average of 20.9 correct answers. Jews (20.5) and Mormons (20.3). Protestants got 16 correct answers on average, while Catholics got 14.7 questions right. You can take the survey yourself over at the Christian Science Monitor.

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Permalink Reply by Laura P on September 29, 2010 at 12:52pm

It seems that very few Atheists decide to become Atheists for no reason. You have to do research and gain knowledge of what is open in other cultures to be sure that something isn't right for you. It's kind of like you saying you hate broccoli and never actually tasting it before stating that. Atheism seems like it's far away from being a fad as you can see a lot of cultural influences in classes today. Children learn about Jesus in church when they are young if that's what their family knows and than they can move on from that ideal after they've learned about a different idea or set of a knowledge that happens to be out there. Your perspective changes from when you are young to when you get older and may also depend on the situations surrounding your life.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on September 29, 2010 at 1:19pm

I agree. My two theories on this are: 1. that a knowledge of religion is what leads a lot of people to being atheist/agnostic. 2. The more educated you are the more likely you are to be an atheist and thus be knowledgable on a whole bunch of subjects including religion.

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Permalink Reply by Arlene on September 29, 2010 at 1:02pm

Wow! i got 26 but i think it's more because of my awesome multiple choice test taking skills.

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Permalink Reply by John on September 29, 2010 at 1:06pm

I missed 2 out of the 32....

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on September 29, 2010 at 1:17pm

But are you guys atheists or religious? I'm interested to know since you both did so well.

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Permalink Reply by Arlene on September 29, 2010 at 1:27pm

Raised Catholic. Parents are uber-duber Catholics. After i left for college, I didn't really practice that much (ok, i didn't practice at all unless visiting my parents). But, i was never not spiritual.

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Permalink Reply by John on September 29, 2010 at 1:41pm

I'm one of those weirdos that doesn't like to call himself religious, but I am Christian. However, I'd like to believe I'm very open minded. Not a right wing nut. I think Jesus was amazing... Standing up for the poor and weak, constantly fighting all of the self righteous religious leaders, and showing ultimate humility. Jesus hated religion...

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Permalink Reply by Martin on September 30, 2010 at 1:54am

Amen to that

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Permalink Reply by IanJ on September 29, 2010 at 2:25pm

26/32 which is 81%. I'm Agnostic by the way. Which is also why I feel compelled to point out that there is a little more to Agnosticism than what the test implies.

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Permalink Reply by Martin on September 30, 2010 at 2:15am

Well, got two wrong. I had no idea what the First Great Awakening was. However, I would disagree that only Protestants believe that salvation is through faith alone (Q21) - that is also official Catholic doctrine.

I was brought up a Catholic - now something of a liberal theist, if I have to classify myself.

Education does lead you to question any dogma. That is why totalitarian regimes lock up intellectuals, and religions tend to dismiss 'head knowledge' (a term I heard from an evangelical Christian).

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Permalink Reply by John on September 30, 2010 at 9:39am

It's interesting that you mentioned 'head knowledge', because as a Christian, this is something I see more in the american church than in the secular world. How many people sit in church and listen, but do nothing about what they've just heard or read. And thus the divorce rates among Christians have risen equal to or higher than those among atheists or agnostics. Catholic priests are involved in horrible acts with minors. And TV evangelists are driving around Rolls Royce's they bought from 'donations' to the church. From my perspective, many Christians have more head knowledge than the majority of those that have no religion.